Area 21: Hanging with KG

The Vikings lost again. The Timberwolves are still waiting to go on their upcoming 30 game winning streak. Politics and stuff. Needless to say, I thought we might need a little something lighter on the menu. It’s Kevin Garnett time...

I went to school at Madison in the early 2000’s, working in a restaurant near the Kohl Center to pay for my scholastic endeavors (beer). The Badger basketball teams would often show up after a game to grab some food, hang out, and occasionally sneak a drink from their favorite bartender. Because of this, I was able to get to know a couple of the players, including former Minneapolis High School legend and future Lynx player, Tamara Moore.

Tamara returned to Madison for an alumni event during a slow summer day at the bar. She and I caught up a bit. We discussed being back in Minnesota, the Lynx, and the Timberwolves. She casually mentioned that she and Kevin Garnett would have late-night shooting sessions at Target Center together. That he would call her, ask if she wanted to shoot, put some music over the Target Center speakers, and get a session in until the early morning hours.

I promptly passed out.

When I awoke, I divulged my man crush on KG. I told her about the posters on my wall, the signed KG/Stephon Marbury birthday card, and the Timberwolves fan website I was creating in my comp sci class. She pulled out her cell phone, dialed a number, and handed the phone over to me.

I was about to talk to Kevin Garnett. He was going to be in my ear whispering sweet nothings. Telling me that he was never going to leave the Wolves. That we were going to be best friends. That we should hang out and have late-night shooting sessions at Target Center together.

It went to his voicemail. I heard a voice, one that I had heard so many times on television (and in my dreams), say, “Yoooooooooooooooooooo, leave it” and then a small electronic beep followed. I promptly passed out again.

Since that day, I’ve always wondered what hanging out with Garnett was actually like. Is he funny in person? Is he as intense as he is on the court? Does he repeatedly swear in everyday life? Tragically, our friendship wasn’t meant to be. But with TNT’s new “Area 21,” I—along with the rest of the Canis community—can get a better idea of what it’s like being besties with Kevin.

Turns out, he is funny, and he does swear repeatedly. He has even installed a “cuss button” immediately next to him on set.

There have been four episodes of Area 21 released thus far, according to the vegter21 research labs. Two of the four episodes have featured Rasheed Wallace, and I hope that he becomes a permanent guest moving forward. I need more KG and Rasheed in my life, because of tweet responses like this...

And because of segments like this...

And this, where they introduce the third member of the in-studio team, Willi Lopez.

The other guests that have entered Area 21 are Nate Robinson and Sam Mitchell. They remain entertaining, but there’s something about Sheed that really ties the whole room together. Here’s Nate and KG discussing a large KAT.

Here’s Sam I Am and KG breaking down the difference between Hassan Whiteside and DeMarcus Cousins. Please take note of the size of Sam’s jeans. They are Jordanesque.

And lastly, a Vine that will warm any cold, dead Timberwolves fan’s heart:

TNT continues to provide the most entertaining studio show in basketball. Adding Garnett (and Rasheed) to the mix is taking it to the next level. Area 21’s Twitter page is the perfect clip vortex. Fair warning: hours of your life will disappear instantly upon entry.

I miss you KG. I think our young pups miss you as well. Thankfully, we now have a way to hang out with you on a weekly basis, to see you continue to silently curse, and to become best friends with you, Sheed, and Willi Lopez.